Friday, May 4

Today, my 27 best friends and I started the day off with a trip to Lord's Cricket Ground. We saw the Ashes Cup which goes to the winner of Australia and England (England currently has possession). After seeing the Ashes Cup and learning of all the necessary equipment needed for cricket, we headed over to a real tennis court. And by real, I don't mean opposite of fake. But real tennis is a sport that preceded the tennis we know and love today. (Click here for more info on real tennis). After this, we were able to watch a live cricket match for a little bit from the stands and from the press box. The match was Middlesex versus Worcestershire in the LV County Championships.

After Lord's Cricket Ground, we headed to the British Olympic Association (BOA). The BOA is the National Organizing Committee for Great Britain. The BOA's job is to represent the Olympic movement and organize the participation of Olympic athletes in Great Britain. The BOA is one of 204 National Organizing Committee (NOCs). (Hope this doesn't get to confusing with all the abbreviations). Each NOC must by recognized by the International Organizing Committee (IOC) in order to participate in the Olympic Games. 

At the BOA, Jose Riera spoke with us. Jose is the Senior Press Officer for the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS). He spoke with us about the British government's rule in hosting the London Games, about the money spent, and how party changes in office affect the running of the Olympics (which it doesn't really affect them at all, actually). I find it strange that party changes didn't have any affect on the operation of the Olympic Games, because in the US I think there would be a great difference in the parties take on the Olympics, especially in regards to amount of money spent. 

We will be at the BOA a few more times this week, and I can't wait! They have such a cool building and really nice employees. 

I'm off to watch a football (soccer) match now. The finals of the FA cup are also today which is absolutely huge here. Tickets are probably near impossible to get, but to be in the surrounding area of Wembley Stadium where Liverpool and Chelsea will play would be incredible!